The St. Lawrence Seaway has begun the process of shutting down for the 2024 shipping season. The Seaway system, which includes the Welland Canal and its eight locks in Port Colborne, Thorold and St. Catharines, began the shutdown process on Dec. 1 with the Canal set to close on January 10. Some ships may be allowed to transit after that date with special permission to do so.
A notice issued by The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System said that ships that can apply for the special permits include those which report to designated call-in points (CIP 15 and 16) or any and all ships that are “at a port, dock or wharf in the Port Colborne to Port Weller section of the Seaway” and are reporting for transit after the designated closure time with all ships being clear of the canal by Jan. 10, 2025.
According to the system, more than 2.5 billion tonnes of cargo worth an estimated $375 billion has moved through the seaway to and from Canada and the United States as well as other parts of the world since opening in 1959. Almost 25 per cent of Seaway traffic comes from overseas ports, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
CORRECTION: While transits after 11:59 p.m. on December 26, 2024, are subject to prior written agreement, the canal remains operational. The canal is officially closing on January 10.